Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Regional Action Plan for Jobs Launched

The Government has announced details of its 5-year plan to invest €250m in eight regional locations in Ireland, towards achieving a greater spread of job growth country.

The €250m is made up of €100m in Enterprise Ireland funding and €150m in IDA capital investment funding.

The plan acknowledges how each part of the country enjoys its own merits and challenges, with industrial clusters specific to each region:

The med-tech industry in the West, the booming Pharma business in the south-east and south-west, and IT outstripping all in Dublin and the surrounding region. Agri-food and tourism dominate elsewhere, each playing a significant role in regional development.

The new plan provides a strategy to improve the employment environment in a more targeted way, and takes each area on its own merit.

The action plan splits Ireland into eight regions:

South-east: Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Wexford, Waterford

South-west: Kerry and Cork

Mid-west: Clare, North Tipperary, Limerick

West: Mayo, Roscommon, Galway

Midlands: Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath

Border: Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, Sligo

Mid-east: Kildare, Meath, Wicklow

Dublin

Local Innovation

“The objective of the new initiative is to strengthen and develop job creation in the regions by encouraging local authorities, regional bodies, higher education institutions, other public bodies, the private sector and communities to come forward with innovative ideas to boost job creation in their area,” according to the plan.

The €100m from Enterprise Ireland is aimed at new competitive funding initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, enterprise infrastructure and job creation. Funding will be made available over 5 years through a series of competitive calls. The first tranche of €50million will be made available from 2015.

The €150m from IDA Ireland will continue the current model of building infrastructure to secure both indigenous and foreign direct investment. for an IDA property investment programme to attract foreign direct investment into different parts of Ireland. This programme will build on the recent investment by the IDA in facilities in Athlone and Waterford, and will include investments over the coming years in building advanced manufacturing and office facilities in Sligo, Tralee, Castlebar, Galway, Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone, Carlow and Waterford.

The facilities are planned for Castlebar, Tralee and Sligo will proceed this year, with further business and technology parks to be rolled out over the 5-year lifetime of the plan.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said “While every part of the country has seen an increase in jobs since 2012, we can and must do more,” . The Regional Action Plan for Jobs will maximise the individual strengths and assets of each region to support enterprise growth and job creation".